Intaglio plate printing machine



Dec. 3, 1940. w. F. HUCK- INTAGLIO PLATE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR pazum EHucIr- BN. mm.

ATTORNEY Dec. 3, 1940. w. F. HUCK INTAGL IO PLATE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Mlliam ffHuck.

ATII'ORNEY w. HUCK INTAGLIO PLATE PRINTING MACHINE Dec. 3, 1940.

7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 29, 1938 Dec. 3, 1940. w. F. HucK INTAGLIO PLATE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Mlliam El-[uclt ATTORNEY Dec. 3, 1940. w. F. HU'CK INTAGLI O PL ATE PRINTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 29, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 mm m INVENTORY William 171-! uch.

ATTORNEY Dec. 3, 1940.. w. F. Huck INTAGLIO PLATE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 3w m mmm m INVENTOR Y E N R O T T A Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE INTAGLIO PLATE PRINTING MACHINE poration of New York Application November 29, 1938, Serial No. 242,909

8 Claims.

This invention relates to printing machines in which fiat engraved plates are used, and more particularly to machines of this type wherein provision is included to drive a plurality of plate carrying planks successively by and beneath a plate inking unit, a plate wiping unit, and an impression unit.

The principal object of this invention is to improve the structure of this type of printing machine-by the provision of means to adjust the chain, or the like, provided to drive the plate carrying planks, and to provide means to adjust the plank guides simultaneously with the chain adjustment. It is also an object of this invention to provide a printing machine with a chain tensioning means that will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as Well as convenient, practical, serviceable and eificient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it

" being understood that various changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made withinthe scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is il- I lustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- Figure 1 is a top chine embodyin 35 this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational vi chine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, to show a chain and guide adjustment; 1

Figure l is an enlarged section taken on line li of Figure 1; i

Figure 5 is an enlarged end elevation of the plate inking unit looking in the direction of ar- 45 rows 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged broken section of the inking unit taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is an enlarged partly sectioned end view of the plate Wiping unit, the view being plan view of a printing mag the features and principles of ew of the ma- 5 Figure 9 is an enlarged section of the wiping taken looking in the direction of arrows 1-7 of I unit reciprocating means taken on line 9-9 of Figure 7; 1

Figure 10 is an enlarged broken section of the impression unit taken on line lG-lil of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is an enlarged section taken on line H-ll of Figure 1 to show the impression cylinder driving and controlling means; and

Figure 12 is an enlarged section taken on line l2-l2 of Figure 11.

The printing machine shown in the drawings is of a type wherein a plurality of printing plates I I, each mounted on a plank i2 are moved about a base frame 13 to be successively inked, wiped, receive a sheet upon its surface, pass beneath an impression cylinder, or D roller, and then have the printed sheet removed therefrom. The base frame I3 is provided with plank supporting and bearing members l4 arranged to provide suitable guiding grooves l5 formed between them, in and by which rollers it secured to the underside of the planks I2, one at each corner thereof are guided, whereby the planks I2 are controlled in their movements about the frame is. A groove ll also extends about the frame I? between the members I4. A roller I3 secured to each plank I2 by a pin 2!], which extends downwardly from the plank into and through the groove [1 is secured to an endless chain E9. The chain I9 is led around sprockets 2|, one of which is disposed adjacent each corner of the frame I3. An electric motor 22 of the type which has speed reduction gearing directly associated with it, is connected through a worm 23 and worm gear 24, the gear-24 being secured to the shaft 25 of one of the sprockets 2!, to drive this sprocket and the chain l9.

Arrangements are herein shown (see Figures 1, 2, 3and 4) whereby the chain i9 may be ad-- 'justed to maintain it in proper running relation with the sprockets 2| and to simultaneously ad- 'justncooperating plank supporting members M on the base frame it adjacent the adjusted sprockets, to maintain the grooves i5 and H- in 'proper guiding position. The chain and guide adjusting means shown herein includes two stud shafts 25 and 21, upon each of which a sprocket 21 is rotatably mounted. Each of the stud shafts 26 and 27 extends from a cylinder 28 and 29 respectively, which cylinders are rotatably mounted inthe base l3. The stud shafts 26 and 21 are eccentric to the cylinders 28 and 2d, the arrangement being such that rotation of the cylinders 28 and 29 will move the sprockets 21 carried by the stud shafts 26 and 27, to adjust the chain 19 led around them. Both cylinders 28 and 2e are arranged to be adjusted simultaneously by having an arm 3| secured to and extending from each, which arms are connected together at their outer ends by a link 32. A screw threaded bar 33, connected to one end of the link 32 and passed through a lug 39 secured to the base I3 is provided to move the link 32 to swing the arms 3| and rotate the cylinders 23 and 29. The bar 33 may be moved by means of nuts 35 and 36 screw threaded on the bar 33, one at each side of the lug 39.

A bar 31 carried by, and on each of the stud shafts 25 and 21, has each of its ends connected to one of a pair of plates 39 and 39 through blocks M. The plank supportingmembers It, adjacent the eccentrically mounted sprockets '2 I, are respectively secured to the plates 38 and 39 by screws 52, the plate 33 connecting together all of the supporting members I4 at oneside of the groove Ii, and the plate 39 connecting together all of the supporting members I4 at the other side of the groove I1. By this arrangement, the rotation of the cylinders 28 and 29 will move the members i9 connected to the plates 38 and 39 simultaneously with any adjustment of the eccentrically mounted sprockets 2|. As more clearly shown in Figure 4, the joint between the movable and stationary supporting members I4 is formed by overlapping their ends, as at 43, Withthe adjacent ends of the the stationary ones whereby the sides of the grooves I5 and I1 between these members will not be interrupted.

The mechanism herein shown for applying ink to the plates II as they are moved by the chain I9, includes two cooperating fountain rollers 5| and 52, and a plate inking roller 53 (see Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6). The shaft ends 54 and 55 of the fountain rollers 5| and 52 respectively, are journaled in spaced apart uprights 55 and 51, secured to the frame i3 by bolts 69. The fountain rollers 5| and 52 cooperate by being adapted to engage at their opposing faces to form a trough therebetween to hold ink and to act as an ink mill. I The trough formed between the rollers 5| and 52 is closed at each end by a V-shaped plate 53 which fits the adjacent peripheral portion of each roller and is spring pressed thereupon by a spring 59, which spring reacts between the upper edge of the plate 58 and a sleeve 6| screw threaded in a lug 32 formed on, or secured to, each upright 55 and 51. The sleeve 6| is provided with a hand wheel 53 by which it may be rotated to adjust the tension of the spring 59. A rod 64 threaded into the top. of each of the V-shaped plates extends upwardly through each sleeve 5| to above the hand Wheel 33. The rod 59 is engaged by a nut 65 whereby engagement pressure of the plate 58 upon the rollers 5i and 52 may be varied.

The shaft ends 55 of the roller 52 are each journaled in a sleeve 66. The outer periphery of each of the sleeves 36 is eccentric to the axis of the roller shaft end 55, so that by rotating the sleeves 55 the roller 52 is adapted to be adjusted relatively to the roller 5| to vary its engagement therewith, whereby the amount of ink carried past theengaging point from the ink supply will varied. Each sleeve 56 is adapted to be rotated for such adjustment, by means of a threaded rod 61 which is journaled in a lug 69 on the upper side of each upright 55 and 51 and has a hand wheel 69 secured to its other end. The inner end 1| of the rod 61 threadingly engages a part 12 pivoted in an arm 13 ex-' tending from the sleeve 66. A sheet metal apron 19 secured at its upper edge to each side of each V-shaped plate 58 extends about the outer side of each roller 5I and 52 and along their entire length to cover these rollers.

The rollers 5| and 52 are power driven from the chain driving motor 22 through a chain 8| led about a sprocket 82 secured on the shaft 25 and which extends to and is led about a sprocket 83 on a. vertical shaft 84 journaled in the base I3. The shaft 84 has a bevel gear 85 keyed to its upper end which meshes with a bevel gear 89 keyed to one shaft end 54 of the roller 5|. A spur gear 81 secured to the other shaft end of the roller 5| meshes with a spur gear 88 secured to the adjacent shaft end 55 of the roller 52. By

varying ,the size of the spur gears 81 and 88,

the relative speeds of the rollers 5| and 52 may be varied. It'is preferable that the roller 5| be driven slightly slower than the roller 52. Both sets of bevel gears 85 and 86 and the spur gears 81 and-88 are preferably enclosed in oil-tight housings 89 and 9| respectively, as shown.

The inking roller 53 has each of its shaft ends 92 journaled in a bushing 93, the outer periphcry of which is eccentric to the axis of the roller 53. Each bushing 93 is clamped in an arm 94 of a lever 95 by a cap member 96, swingably connected by links 91 to the arm 94 and adapted to be tightened against the bushing 93 by a clamp 98. Each lever 95 is mounted on a stud 99 extending from one of the uprights 56 and 51. Another arm I9I of the lever 95 is acted upon by .a spring I02 which reacts between a stud I03 screw threaded into the arm II, and a lug Ill-I extending outwardly from each'upright 56 and 51. Rotation of the stud I93 varies the tension of the spring I92. The springs I92 constantly act upon the levers 95 to press the roller 53 against the roller 5| whereby it will receive ink therefrom to transfer it to the plate II. A set screw I05 is threaded through a lug I95 extending from the arm 94 to engage a lug I01 provided on the adjacent upright 56 or 51 to limit the pressure of the roller 53 against the roller 5|. By loosening the bushings 93 they may be rotated to adjust the roller 53 relatively to the plate II andthe roller 5|, and to obtain comparative results of such adjustment each bushing 93 is provided with an indicating mark I98 for comparison with a scale I09 provided on each of the cap members 95.

The plate wiping mechanism (see Figures 1, 2, '1, 8 and 9) is adapted to be reciprocated across the plates II transversely with respect to their movement about the base I3 by a mechanism which includes spaced apart uprights II I and I I2 which are connected together by a frame member II3 bolted at each end to one of the'uprights HI and H2 by bolts II4. The frame member I I3 is provided with a centrally disposed post II5 to which one end of a pitman H5 is secured, by means of a bolt Ill. The other end of the pitman IIE encircles an eccentric portion of a sleeve I I3 which is rotatively mounted on a stud H9 extending upwardly from a bushing I2I keyed to 'a vertical shaft I22. The stud H9 is eccentric to the axis of the bushing I2I and to the shaft I22. The sleeve I I3 is clamped between the upper surface of the bushing I2I and a washer I23 by a nut I24, which when loosened permits the rotation of the sleeve IIB on the stud'I I9 to adjust the throw of the pitman H6 and through it the extent of the reciprocating movement of the wiping mechanism. The shaft I22 is connected to an electric motor I28 by suitable gears (not shown) but disposed in a reduction gear casing I25 associated with the electric motor I26.

The spaced apart uprights III and H2, and the frame member I I3 connecting them, are slidably supported on a pair of spaced apart bars I21 and I28 which in turn are supported at each of their ends from theh base frame 13 by posts I29, to which they are secured by bolts I30. Rollers I31 and I32 secured to each side of theframe member II3 and at each end thereof provide anti-friction means between the frame member II3 and the bars I21 and I 28, while rollers I33 and I34 each carriedon a lug I35 provided on each upright I I I and H2 adjacent each end of the frame member II3 are provided to'engage the outer side of each bar I21 and I28 to guide the uprights II I and I I2 and the frame member II3 alongthese bars with substantially no friction.

The frame member H3 is adapted to carry a cushioning pad I36 and a roller or reel I31 of wiping material preferably a web I38 of paper The cushioning pad I36 may consist or fabric. of several superimposed layers I39 of felt or other suitable material, secured by means of clips I4I, which hold the outer layer I39 to a block I42 preferably of wood. A strip or blanket I43 of rubber or other suitable material, is stretched over the outer layer I39 and is secured tothe block I42 by springmeans such as a plurality of rubber bands I secured to the blanket I43 and engaged on pins I44 extending upwardly from the clips I4I at one end of the block I42. At the other end of the block I42 the blanket I43 is engaged directly on the pins I44. The rubber bands I40 maintain the blanket I43 taut over the pad I36, due to their inherent resiliency.

The block I42 is supported on the frame member II3 by four rods I45, one adjacent each corner. The rods I45 are secured to the block I42 by nuts I46 and extend upwardly therefrom through spaced apart lugs I41 and I48 formed on the side walls I49 and I5I of the frame member II3. Each of the rods I45 has a washer I52 secured to its upper end by a nut I53. A spring I54 coiled about each rod I45 reacts between the washer I52 and the top I55 of the frame member I I3 to constantly urge the rod upwardly to maintain the upper end of a nut I56 having worm gear teeth on its periphery, threaded on the rod I45 intermediate the lugs I41 and I48, in engagement with the underside of the lug I41. The toothed nuts I56, being threaded-on the rods I45, are

adapted to adjust the pressure of the pad I36 against the inked printing plate II when they are rotated on the rods I45. The toothed nuts I56 are arranged to be rotated by worms I51, two of which are secured to each of a pair of spaced apart shafts I58 which extend lengthwise through the frame member II3, being journaled in each end thereof. A hand wheel I59 is secured on the outer end of each shaft I 58 for rotating the same.

Each Of the uprights III and H2 is provided with spaced apart slotted upstanding arms I6! and 592, in the slot IE3 of which a bearing block I is slidably mounted. One pair of opposite blacks support the shaft ends of the web roll I31 the other pair support the shaft ends of a web take-up roll i upon which the used web is to be wound. The periphery of the roll I31 rides on a roller I66 from which the web I 88 is led to another roller I61. From the roller I61 the web 538 extends underthe pad I36 to another roller I88, The web I38is fed-over roller I63 between it and an eccentrically mounted roller I69 and :to a roller I1I upon which the roll I rides.

A ratchet I12, preferably of the roller type, is

secured on one of the shaft ends I13 of roll I65 in position to be operated upon by the usual form of operating device I14, whichhas a rod I15 extending downwardly therefrom, to rotate the roll I65 to Wind the web I38 thereon. A sleeve I16 carried on the upper and long end of a lever I11, pivoted to one sideaof the adjacent upright II2 by a bolt I18, is slidably mounted on the rod I15. The lower and short end of the leverv I11 is connected at I18 to a long link I19, the other end of which is connected by a short link I80 to the "other side of the upright I I2 (see Figure 8) The link I19 is connected to the bar I8I, which extends across and outside of the upright II2, by having a stud I82 extending downwardly therefrom into a block I83 which in turn is pivoted to the bar I8I by .a pin I84, the arrangement being such that a universal joint is formed at this point. A pin I85, carried on the link I19 is adapted to engage an arm I86 connected to the shaft I81 of the eccentric roll I69 so as to press it toward the web guide roll I 68 when the bar I8I is reciprocated in one direction, herein to the right in Figure 7, so .as to cause the web I38 to be gripped.

between these rolls to prevent it being pulled backwardly by the movement of the planks I2. A spring I88 -.frees the roll I69 from the roll I68 while the web I36 is being intermittently fed along over the pad I36 by the ratchet I12.

The end of the bar I8I, which is broken away in Figure 7, is shown in Figure 8 with its connection to the lower end of an arm I89 that is secured at its upper end to a shaft I9I, supported in a bracket I92,.mounted on the base I3. The connection between the arm I89 and the end of the bar I8I is similar to that employed between the link I19 and the bar I8I and includes a swivel block I92, forming a universal joint. Another arm I93 is secured to the shaft NH and has a slot I 94 formed lengthwise therein, in which a block I99 is slidably mounted. The arms I89 and I93 with the shaft I9I form a bell crank which is adapted to be rocked by a link I96 connected at one end to the block I90 and at its other end to a crank arm I91 secured to a shaft I98. Adjustment of the block I 90 along the slot I94 in the arm I93 will vary the throw of the arm I89 and through the bar IBI vary the action of the ratchet I12 on the roll I65. Adjustment of the block I99 along the slot I94 is obtained by a threaded rod I99 which passes through and thr'eadingly engages a block I95 which by means of a stud shaft 2I0 is connected to the block I90. The rod I99 is secured to the arm I93 by a lug 200 and has a hand wheel 29I on its outer end by which it may be rotated.

The crank arm I91 is rocked through the shaft I98 by a cam 202 (see Figure 1) secured on a shaft 203 and acting on an arm 204 secured to a vertical shaft 205 journaled in the base I3. The

shaft 205 (see Figure 8) extends upwardly spectively. The frame'members 2M and 2|5 are each slidably mounted upon a pair of spaced apart posts 2|6 and 2|1, which in turn are slidably disposed in holes2|8 provided therefor in the base ofv the frame L3. The posts 2|6 and 2H are formed to provide a portion 22 smaller in diameter where they pass through the frame members 214 and 2|5 than where they pass through the base frame I3, to provide an upwardlly directed shoulder 222 upon which the frame members 2M and 215 may seat. A coiled counterweight spring 2213, of sufiicient tension to support its portion of the weight of the frame members 2M and 2|5 and'the cylinder 2| l, with their associated parts is disposed about each post 2|6 and H1, and reacts between the adjacent frame member 2l4 and 2|5 and the base frame I3.

The lower end of each post 2|6 and 2H1 is threaded and has an internally threaded Wormwheel 224 operatively mounted thereon. The wormwheels 224 engage a bracket 225 seated against the undersurface of the base frame l3 and are thereby adapted to draw the posts 2|6 and 2|! downwardly against the tension of the counterweight springs, and to adjust the position of the shoulder 222 to limit the downward movement of the frame members 214 and 2|5 and the cylinder 251. A shaft 226 having a worm gear 221 thereon disposed between the wormwheels 224 on adjacent posts M6 and. 2H, has a hand wheel 228 (Figure 2) secured upon one of its outer ends whereby all four wormwheels 224 may be simultaneously rotated.

A pressure spring 229 is provided, coiled about the upper end of each post 216 and 2H to react between the adjacent frame member 2|4 or 2i5 and a bracket 23! extending between the posts in each frame member 2 i4 and 2 5, to press the frame members downwardly toward the shoulders 222 and maintain a desired pressure of the cylinder 2 against the plate I! as it passes under the cylinder. Awormwheel 232 is screw threaded upon theupper end of each post H6 and 251 and engages the adjacent bracket 23!. Simultaneous rotation of all of the four wormwheels 232 is obtained by means of a shaft 233 having a pair Of worm gears 234 thereon, each positioned (as shown in Figure 1) to mesh with two of the wormwheels on the posts in each of the frame members 2M and 215. The shaft 233 has a hand wheel 235 on one of its ends whereby it may be rotated to simultaneously adjust the tension of all of the springs 229 and thereby the pressure of the cylinder 2| on the plate H.

In order to adjust the elevation of the bearings for each end of the cylinder 2 separately, one of the worm gears v221 is preferably provided with a suitable locking device not shown, whereby it may be locked to the shaft 226 in any desired angular relation, and similarly, one of the worm gears 234 may be adjustable with relation to the shaft 233 so that the impression pressure at each end of the cylinder 2| 1 may be separately adjusted.

A bar 236 extends between the frame members 2|4 and H and another bar 231 extends between the brackets 23| adjacent each of the frame members 2|4 and M5. The bars 236 and 231 are parallel and are spaced apart, and the upper one 231 has a pressure indicator 236 mounted thereon-adapted to be actuated by a pin 239 mounted directly below it on the bar 236, whereby the pressure of the cylinder 2 upon the'plate II will be indicated.

Plank back-up rollers MI and 242 are provided and are rotatably mounted upon bushings ,243 which are inturn mounted upon a stationary shaft244. The shaft 244 is secured to and is carried in eccentric bushings 245 and 246 which inturn are rotatively mounted in the base frame |3. Rotation'of the shaft 244, due to its mounting in the eccentric bushings 245 and 246, as above described, will adjust the back-up pressure of-the rollers 241' and 242 upon the plank 2.

The cylinder 2H is arranged to be rotated by the chain driving motor 22 (see Figures 1 and 10) :from the gear 268 on the cam shaft 263 through a gear 241 in mesh with the gear 268 and secured on a vertical shaft 248, a bevel gear 25I slidably'secured on the shaft 248 by a key 249, and a bevel gear 252, adapted to be detachably connectedto the shaft end 2|2 of the cylinder 2H and which is'constantly in mesh with the bevel gear 25L The means to detachablyconnect the bevel gear 262 to the shaft end H2 includes (see Figures 11 and 12) a plate 253 secured to the shaft end M2 by screws 254. A cylindrical boss 255 extends axially from the plate 266 and is provided with a bore 256 in which one end 251 of a shift rod 258 slidably enters. The shift rod end 251 carries a cross pin 253 which extends through the boss 255 in an axially elongated slot 26| provided therein whereby its ends may seat in segmental recesses 262 formed in the rear face of the hub portion 263 formed on the bevel gear 252. a

A coiled spring 264, reacting between the shift rod end 251 and the bottom of a hole 265 formed in the shaft end H2, is provided to constantly urge the ends of the cross-pin into the recesses 262. A sleeve 266, surrounding the hub portion 263, extends axially therefrom over the ends of the pin 259 to retain it against sliding from the rod- 258. The rod 258 is arranged to'be axially moved to disengage the ends of the pin 259 from the recesses 262 by being provided with .an annular recess '261 in its outer end in which a stud 268 rides. The stud 266 is eccentrically disposed on the end of a shaft 269. The shaft 269 extends through a gear-enclosing and oil-tight casing 21| and has an operating handle 212 secured thereto outside of the casing 21| (see Figures 1 and 2) by which it may be rotated to shift the rod 258.

The bevel gear 252 is rotatably mounted upon a sleeve7213 which extends from the cylindrical boss 255. The sleeve 213 extends along the rod 258 beyond the gear 252 and through a brake shoe 216 and a stationary brake plate 211. The brake plate 211 is fastened by bolts 218 to a cover 219 for the casing 2H, and the brake shoe 216 is keyed to the sleeve 213 bya key 21%| which seats in an elongated slot 282 formed in the sleeve 213.. A spring 283 coiled about the sleeve 213 reacts betweenthe brake shoe 216 and a collar 284 abutting the gear 252 to prevent rotation of the cylinder 2 when the pin 259 is disengaged from the gear 252 by manipulation of the handle 212, and at other times presses the pin 259 into the recess 262. The provision of the segmental recesses 262 permits the plate II to drive the cylinder 2H faster than it would be driven by the gears 251 and 252, so that the cylinder 2| I will run at the same speed as the plate is being driven by the chain I9, to insure clear and distinct printed impressions and perfect registration.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the machine operator will place sheets one at a time from a shelf 285, which is provided and secured to the base l3 for supporting a supply of sheets to. be printed, upon. a plate II as; it becomesdisposed adjacent station A. After the sheets pass the. printing unit underzthe cylinder 2H and are printed upon-by the inked impressions on the plate 'II they are removed from the plate at station E and piled onthe shelf 285. The plate I I is thenfed along by the chain IQpast the inking unit where a new supply of ink is applied by the inking roller 53 and then continues about the base I3 to be acted upon by the wiping pad I35 whereby the ink is'removed from the surface of the plate I I and ink is forced into the impressions thereon to completely fill them.

As described above, the fountain rollers 55 and 52 of the inking unit arearranged to be adjusted to vary the supply of ink taken by the inking roller 53 to be applied upon .the plate I I, and the pressure of the inking roller 53 upon the roller 5| and the plate I l is also shown to be adjustable. The stroke of the wiping pad I35,

whereby it is reciprocated transversely across the plate I I to thoroughly fill the impressions therein, is shown to be adjustable by means of the eccentric sleeve H3, and the stroke of the ratchet I'IZ driving the web take-up roll I65 is shown to be adjustable by manipulation of the handle 2m through the threaded rod I559. The pressure of the impression cylinder 2 upon the plate I I is shown as being adjustable by means of the hand wheels 223 and 235 and the plank back-up rolls 2M and 242 areshcwn adjustable by means of the eccentric mounting of the shaft 244. The chain is may be maintained at proper tension on the sprockets 2| by adjustment of the studs 25 and 21 upon which the sprockets 2| are mounted, certain plank supporting members I 4 being simultaneously adjusted to maintain the guide grooves I5 and Il uninterrupted. A driving motor 22 is shown as adapted to drive operable parts of the various units of the machine by interconnected gearing and to also drive the plates II past these units by means of the chain Arrangement is herein shown whereby the planks I2 will be firmly supported as they move about the corners of the frame I3. For instance, referring to Figure 1, as the planks I2 approach the corner of the frame I3 the center roller I8 engages against the arcuate portion 286 of the groove I1 and the rollers I6 are disposed in respect to the grooves I 5 as shown by dotted circles in Figure 1. The rollers I6 at opposite corners of the planks I2 engage and are supported by arcuate corners 281 and 288 of the members I4. The planks I3 are therefore firmly supported against rocking movement and are smoothly guided'about the corner, the surfaces of the arcuate portion 286 and of the arcuate corners 28? and 288 serving to provide a three point bearing for the planks during their movement about the corners of the frame I3.

In View of the inclusion in the structure of a flat plate printing machine of the new and useful features described and particularly pointed out in the claims, a machine is provided which can be maintained at high operating efilciency over a long period.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

"What I claim is: Y 1

1. In a fiat plate printing machine, a plate inking unit, a plate wiping unit, a printing unit, a plate carrying plank disposed in a horizontal plane, means to guide said plank successively from one unit to the other, an endless chain to which saidplank is connected, sprockets to support the: chain, means to drive one of the sprockets, and means to adjust said plank guides and the sprockets to tighten the chain.

2. In a flat plate printing machine, a plate inking unit, a plate wiping unit, a printing unit,

a plurality of plate carrying planks disposed in a horizontal plane, means to guide said planks successively from one unit to the other, an endless chain to which each plank is connected, a plurality of sprockets about which said chain is led,

means to drive one of said sprockets, and means to simultaneously adjust two of said sprockets to tighten said chain.

3. In a fiat plate printing machine, a rectangular base frame having a substantially flat top surface, a plate inking unit, a plate wiping unit, a printing unit, said units being disposed one at each of three sides of said base frame, a plurality of plate carrying planks slidably seated on said base frame to be moved successively past said units, plank guiding members on said base frame to cooperate with said planks to guide them, a sprocket at each corner of said base frame, a

motor to drive one of said sprockets, an endless chain connected to each plank and led aboutsaid sprockets, and means to simultaneously move two sprockets and the plank guiding members adja-' cent the same to compensate for elongation of the chain. I

4. In a fiat plate printing machine, a plurality of units adapted to act in cooperation with a printing plate to print sheets, a plate carrying plank, plank guides extending about said machine past each unit, a plurality of sprockets, a driven endless chain extending about, said sprockets to move said plank past each unit, and common means to adjust some of said sprockets and said plank guides to compensate for elongation of the chain.

5. In an intaglio plate printing machine, a

frame, guideways on the frame adapted to guide a plurality of plate supports through a rectangular path, an endless flexible member adapted to propel the plate supports about said path, means i means for adjusting the chain by sprocket adjustment to compensate for difference in chain length and to correspondingly adjust the guide.

7. In a fiat plate printing machine, a plurality of units adapted to act in cooperation with a printing plate to print sheets, a plate carrying plank, plank guides forming a rectangular path about said machine and extending past each unit, a plurality of sprockets, a driven endless chain extending about said sprockets to move said plank around said path, and means for tightenchain extending about said sprockets to move said plank along the guides and past each unit, and movable guide and sprocket adjusting means whereby the path of the plank and the path of the chain may be adjusted to compensate for dif- 5 ference in chain length.

WILLIAM F. HUCK. 

